Carnival Festival in Italy
Held 40 days before Easter, Carnevale is a huge festival that takes place before Ash Wednesday. The biggest celebrations are held in Viareggio, Ivrea and Venice. Carnival celebrations take place in many cities around the world.
Celebrate the New Year in Italy
Italians welcome in the New Year with music, dancing, and fireworks. The celebrations can vary from one town to another.
Festa della Madonna Bruna in Matera, Italy
This is a unique festival that takes place in southern Italy in July. The climax of the festival occurs when a cart carrying the Virgin is destroyed. The Chariot is made of papier-mâché and takes a whole year to create. Making the car is a skill that is passed down from generation to generation.
The Ardia di San Constantino
Held in Sardinia, L’Ardia di San Costantino is an Italian horse race. The Palio of Siena
Il Palio di Siena is a famous festival and horse race, probably the most famous in the country.
Umbria Jazz Festival in Perugia
This is a very popular international jazz festival that takes place in Perugia in July.
A Carnevale Ogni Scherzo Vale
Italians have this carnival before the 40 days of deprivation experienced during the advent of Lent. This type of festival has become popular in cities around the world.
Valentine’s Day in Italy
Italy celebrates Valentine’s Day with shops selling porcelain baskets or cups filled with sweets tied with ribbons. Getting engaged on Valentine’s Day is a tradition in Italy.
Christmas in Italy (Buon Natale)
Christmas in Italy is marked by the colors white, red and green, which are also the colors of the Italian flag. Italians enjoy Christmas traditions, recipes and rituals every year.
Holy Week in Italy (Buona Pasqua) Italy celebrates many ceremonies during the Easter holiday regardless of the date of the holiday. Most of the ceremonies are conducted by churches.
thanksgiving in italy
Italy celebrates Thanksgiving, but in a different way than the United States. The family meal usually consists of Italian recipes (instead of turkey) that have been passed down from generation to generation. Families gather for a traditional meal during the holidays.
Celebrate at the Venice Carnival The Venice Carnival is a traditional festival where partygoers wear masks. It is romantic and considered one of the biggest festivals in Europe.
Feast of the Redeemer
This is a Venetian festival held to celebrate the end of a plague that occurred during the 16th century. It is usually celebrated the second week of July with a fireworks show and a regatta. An architect named Antonio Palladio built the Church of the Redeemer as a reminder of the occasion.
Chariot Scope
It is an event that takes place on Holy Saturday in Florence where a cart pulled by an ox travels through the streets on a journey to Il Duomo. Fireworks are lit from the vehicle.
Spoleto Festival
Known as the “Festival of the Two Worlds”, this is one of the most popular musical events in Italy.
Other traditional events in Italy (City or region in parentheses)
*Almond Blossom Festival (Agrigento) — Festival of songs, fireworks and costumes.
*Giostra del Saracino (Arezzo) — Also known as the Joust of the Saracens, this is a tilting contest held on the first Sunday in September. The armored knights represent the customs of the 13th century.
*Calendimaggio (Assisi) — Also called Holy Week Celebration, this is Italy’s Easter event to celebrate Spring as they did in medieval times.
*Torneo Della Quintana (Ascoli-Piceno) — This is the Jousting of the Quintana that takes place on the first Sunday of August. It is a contest in which the contestants wear costumes from the 15th century.
*Palio San Secondo (Asti) — This is a 700-year-old ceremony in which participants wear costumes from the 13th century.
*Sagra di San Nicola (Bari) — This is a historic costumed procession that takes place on May 7.
*Sagra di Sant’ Efisio (Cagliari) — From May 1 to 4, a large and colorful procession takes place in which pilgrims dress in 17th-century costumes accompanied by horses, carts and a statue of the saint on foot .
*Calcio Fiorentino (Florence) — This is a soccer match that takes place in June and resembles soccer games from medieval times.
*Infiorata (Genzano) — A beautiful flower festival, where a religious procession takes place on flower-carpeted streets.
*Balestrieri (Gubbio) — Known as the Archers’ Palio, this is a medieval crossbow contest held on the last Sunday in May. The participants wear medieval weapons and costumes.
*Fiesta de Santa Rosalía (Palermo) — Held in July, this event features fireworks, bands and a procession in honor of the city’s patron saint.
*Epiphany Fair in Piazza Navona (Rome) — A January fair of sweets, toys and gifts that takes place outdoors in the beautiful Bernini fountains.
*Estate Romana (Rome) — Coordinated by the city of Rome, this event takes place from late June through August or during the Roman summer. There is a summer season of outdoor entertainment organized by the Rome Opera. Highlights include music, ballet, opera, theater and more.
*Carnival in Venice (Venice) — Held in February and March, this celebration features masks and costumes, music, fireworks and mimes. Entertainment is provided in the streets.
Wherever you go in Italy, there is sure to be a special event or festival nearby. Italy is full of fun celebrations throughout the year. You can join and be a part of these great traditions when you visit Italy.
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